Prince Harry to visit U.S. to receive humanitarian award

By Bryony Jones, CNN

Updated 9:43 AM ET, Mon April 23, 2012

Prince Harry wins award for veterans work6 photos

Prince Harry wins award for veterans work – Britain's Prince Harry is to travel to the United States to be presented with an award for "distinguished humanitarian leadership" in recognition of his work with servicemen and women.

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Prince Harry wins award for veterans work6 photos

Prince Harry wins award for veterans work – The Prince is a Captain in the British Army, and served a tour of duty in Afghanistan's Helmand province in 2007 and 2008, as a Forward Air Controller for NATO forces.

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Prince Harry wins award for veterans work6 photos

Prince Harry wins award for veterans work – In October 2011, he took part in Apache helicopter exercises -- codenamed Crimson Eagle -- in the California and Arizona deserts, part of his training to become a full-time helicopter pilot in the Army Air Corps.

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Prince Harry wins award for veterans work6 photos

Prince Harry wins award for veterans work – Prince Harry's older brother William is also in the armed services. He serves as a search and rescue pilot with the Royal Air Force, based in North Wales.

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Prince Harry wins award for veterans work6 photos

Prince Harry wins award for veterans work – The princes' charitable foundation focuses on the welfare of veterans and serving members of the armed forces. Prince Harry is also the patron of several other soldiers' charities.

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Prince Harry wins award for veterans work6 photos

Prince Harry wins award for veterans work – Prince Harry is said to be "honored" by the Atlantic Council's award, which he will receive in a ceremony in Washington D.C. on May 7.

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Story highlights

Britain's Prince Harry to travel to Washington D.C. in May

He will be presented with humanitarian award by the Atlantic Council

Award recognizes his work with veterans and serving members of the armed forces

Prince last traveled to the U.S. for Apache helicopter training in Arizona, California

Britain's Prince Harry is to travel to the United States to be presented with a prestigious award honoring his work with war veterans and serving members of the armed forces.

The Prince will visit Washington D.C. on May 7 to receive the Atlantic Council's award for "distinguished humanitarian leadership," St James's Palace announced Monday.

A spokeswoman for the palace told CNN the trip -- Harry's first to the U.S. since he took part in Apache helicopter training in the deserts of Arizona and California last year -- was likely to be a flying visit, lasting less than 24 hours.

As well as attending the prizegiving dinner at the Atlantic Council, Prince Harry is also expected to meet British and American athletes who have taken part in the Warrior Games, a paralympic sports tournament for armed services personnel, in Colorado.

And while it is not yet clear if he will attend other events while in the country, there is expected to be a huge level of interest in the Prince's travel plans.

Prince Harry is said to be "honored" by news of the award, which he plans to accept on behalf of his brother and their foundation.

St James's Palace says he will use the event to pay tribute to the work of British and American charities which help to rehabilitate wounded servicemen and women, and to reintegrate veterans into civilian life.

The Atlantic Council is a non-partisan U.S.-based think-tank which promotes transatlantic cooperation and international security.

Other high-profile guests whose work will be recognized by the council on May 7 are U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, violin virtuoso Anne-Sophie Mutter, and Unilever CEO Paul Polman.